It seems a lot of people have been checking out the Zune for the past couple years, and now everyone got a new Zune for Christmas! If you happened to get a Zune instead of an iPod, you will probably need to read the manual to get everything setup. You could go the standard route and head to www.zune.net/setup,or be smart and read our guide right here. (A lot of people were having trouble with the standard zune.net/setup instructions.)
(Beforehand, it would help to have a Zune with a freshly charged battery, a PC, a sync cable, and a Windows Live ID, which could be from a hotmail account.)
OK, so you still have to go to www.zune.net/setup to download the latest software that you’ll install on your computer.
Now, install the software. Just click the installation icon, accept the license agreement, and it gets going.
Here comes the tricky part – getting your Zune connected and configured to work with your computer. Start by connecting your Zune to your PC with the included sync cable (when prompted.) Then sync the Zune with the library on your PC. (Just follow a few simple prompts and click the recommended configuration.)
“Tag” the Zune with your screen name and connect it to your Windows Live account (possibly your “@hotmail.com” email.)
Once your Zune is synced to your computer with the software, then you can load the Zune store, buy Microsoft points, and download music from Zune Marketplace.
* If you get errors or your system crashes during the install, try uninstalling and starting over. Unfortunately these problems happen too often with Microsoft products…
Zune is a digital media brand owned by Microsoft which includes a line of portable media players, a digital media player software for Windows machines, a music subscription service known as a ‘Zune Music Pass’, music and video streaming for the Xbox 360 via the Zune Software, music, TV and movie sales, and the media software for Windows Phone. Zune Music Pass is for Music only and as of October, 2011 was reduced to $9.99 (USD) a month for unlimited music rental and music video streaming.
In October 2011, Microsoft announced the discontinuation of all Zune hardware, encouraging users to transition to Windows Phone.
First generation
The first-generation Zune device was created by Microsoft in close cooperation with Toshiba, which took the design of the Gigabeat S and redeveloped it under the name Toshiba 1089 as registered with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) starting in 2006. Xbox 360 overseer J Allard ran the project, codenamed “Argo,” staffed with Xbox and MSN Music Store developers who worked on “Alexandria”, finalized as Zune Marketplace.Both products were later united under the Zune brand name in the U.S. market.
At midnight on December 31, 2008, many first generation Zune 30 models froze. Microsoft stated that the problem was caused by the internal clock driver written by Freescale and the way the device handles a leap year. An intermediate “fix” was to drain the device’s battery and then recharge after 12 noon GMT on January 1, 2009.
The first generation and later Zune devices included a number of social features, including the ability to share songs with other Zune users wirelessly. Songs that had been transferred over wi-fi could then be played three times over three days.
To start using your Zune, first get the latest version of the Zune software for your computer from www.zune.net/setup or here. Then charge your Zune and load it up with your music, videos, pictures, podcasts, and friends.
Once done, connect your Zune to your computer. Use a rear USB port if possible for the best charge. You can connect it using the sync cable (supplied with your Zune) or the Zune dock.You might need to wait a few minutes after plugging in your Zune while the battery charges enough to start.
When your Zune turns on, the Zune software will take you through the setup process. Now follow these steps:
When you start the Zune software for the first time, the software automatically searches the computer for music, videos, and pictures that you can add to your collection. The Zune software monitors the computer regularly for any new music, videos, or pictures that you save. The Zune software can also add any new music or videos that you play on the computer from zune.net/setup.

|
System recommendations To get the most out of Zune, your computer should meet system requirements:
A wi-fi network is necessary for you to wirelessly sync your Zune to your computer. *The Zune software won’t work on versions of Windows earlier than Windows XP SP3. Download Windows XP SP3. |
|
Installation: If the Zune software will not install on your PC and you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7, see this Knowledge Base article. |